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What is Blood Flow Restriction Training?

Blood Flow Restriction Training (BFRT) is a training modality where you apply a specialized band/cuff to the upper or lower limbs to alter hemodynamic (blood flow) patterns while exercising at very low loads/intensities. By doing so, very similar musculoskeletal and cardiovascular adaptations occur just as with high intensity strength and cardiovascular training.

​By altering and restricting blood flow patterns, there is less oxygen and nutrients available to bring to the muscle as well as remove waste products.  This creates an imbalance in homeostasis within the body where the muscle fibers fatigue and the body recruits additional muscle fibers to continue to exercise. The cell swelling and metabolic stress responses within the muscles utilizing BFR augments hypertrophy mechanisms similar to heavy resistance training.  Anabolic hormones (such as GH and IGF-I) which help build, heal, and repair tissue are also released in higher quantities which can aid in the overall health and well-being of individuals.

This type of training is advantageous to a wide spectrum of individuals from adolescents to the elderly as well as from the healthy to the injured.  The hormonal response that BFR creates can be helpful in building muscle strength, size, endurance, as well as tissue healing capabilities.  It has also shown to be beneficial in improving neurological, vascular, and bone health without exposing the body to excessively heavy loads.